CCI Accepts Google’s Settlement in Android TV Antitrust Case

On April 21, 2025, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), in Case No. 19 of 2020, accepted a landmark settlement proposal filed by Google LLC and Google India Pvt. Ltd. under the framework of the Competition Act, 2002. The case was initiated based on information submitted under Section 19(1)(a), alleging anti-competitive conduct related to Google’s Television App Distribution Agreement (TADA) and Android Compatibility Commitments (ACC).

The Director General’s investigation concluded that the TADA imposed unfair tying conditions by bundling the Google Play Store with other proprietary Google TV services (such as YouTube) and restricted OEMs from adopting Android forks.

As part of the settlement, Google proposed a “New India Agreement” that allows OEMs to pre-install the Play Store and Play Services independently, removes ACC obligations for non-Google devices, and affirms the right to use the Android Open Source Project or competing operating systems. These commitments will be in force for five years, with compliance monitored through annual reporting. Google also paid a settlement amount of INR 20.24 crores.

Concluding that the settlement sufficiently addressed the identified competition concerns, the CCI approved the resolution and closed the proceedings without further penalty.